Hat felting machine



Juliev 30, 1959 A. KENNEDY, JR" EAL HAT FELTING MACHINE 8 O R n n a i a? O m m 5%. m 23 u m W1 Z 3 $2 CLHnv Filed July 5, 1956 an uni".-

June 30, 1959 A. KENNEDY, JR., EIAL HAT FELTINGMACHINE Filed Jul 5, 1956 '6 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTORS M n in" m am 0 .m m d b zah $37 K U anfhony Gen-r50. BY {fin-w June 30, 1959 Filed July 5, 1956 A. KENNEDY, JR., ETAL HAT FELTING MACHINE 6 Shegts-Sheat 3 uni/lin Kenna! Lorenz; (I "gnu L. Klrb INVENTORS (/11,

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quay: (I. ,sfcrnbrnnn ATTORNEY June 30, 1959 A. KENNEDY, JR., ETAL HAT FELTING MACHINE V 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 5, 1956 m n mg" m V am m a? 2 A n 2 m 3%.?

Jime 30, 1959 A. KENNEDY, JR., ETAL 2,892,242

- HAT FELTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1956 arr/h on Mann c d I add Hen-r Kiri; an qcof c d. :81: brcnn BY ATTQRNEY LGTCHZ June 30, 1959 A.KENNEDY, JR.. ETAL HAT FELTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 5, 1956 d gVBNTORS #M," and d IS'I'QH) b-rorm AT TO EY IIFI (Fl [Pro I United States Patent 2,892,242 HAT FELTING MACHINE Anthony Kennedy, Jr., Moylan, Pa., Lorenzo J. 'Adams, Norwalk, Conn., and Henry L. Kirby, Upper Darby, and George L-Steinbronn, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to John B. Stetson Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application July 5,1956, Serial No. 595,992 14 Claims. 01. 2s s This invention relates to a felting machine for shrinking and felting hat bodies and the like.

After the fur. to form a felt hat has been blown upon the forming cone it may be dipped into scalding water and then given a'preliminary manipulation or otherwise treated to harden it suflicieritly for safe handling. The hats in this early form of manufacture are referred to as bats and'the blowing and shrinking of the bats are carried on in the back ,shop.. Although certain machines and processes have been developed to carry on the shrinking with the bats folded flat, the more generally used machines and processes include first the placing of several of the bats superimposed in a cloth such as flannel, burlap, or other material and rolling them by hand into a roll or bundle and in some plants these bundles, while saturated, have been rolled and worked by hand and in others, machinery'has been used to shrink the bats. The bundles are then unrolled and the bats rearranged in them and again rolled up, and a further treatment given to them. This process is repeated 21 number of times until the bats attain the desired size for further treatment. 1

7 One series of machines for carrying on these operations was developed by H. A. Genest and a patent i1- lustrating one of his machines is No. 1,738,494, December 3, 1929. This patent illustrates a machine for carry ing on the felting or shrinking operation with the bundle of bats being under pressure of two upper rolls, as the bundle rolls upon two lower rolls. A stream of water is played upon one of the rolls for absorption by the bundle of bats. This machine is designed to roll the bats for a given period of time and then to automatically stop so that the bundle may be removed from the machine and another one inserted after which the machine is started again and a new bundle of bats given a further shrinking operation for the period of time for which the machine is designed. I

Another early machine which was used to perform the initial felting or shrinking operation is illustrated in the patent to Eickemeyer No. 289,243, November 27, 1883. In the construction of the machine of this patent, the machine was intended to operate continuously and the degree of pressure was determined by hand. The hat was automatically discharged from the machine by depressing a foot lever which raised one of the supporting rolls.

The objects of the instant invention are to render the felting or shrinking operation of the bundle of bats more automatic, to relieve the operator of the continued necessity of manipulating the machine and to make it possible to vary the time of shrinking operations for which the machine may be set.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which may rotate continuously and thus avoid the starting and stopping which is injurious to the machine as well .as consuming the attention of the operator. In the use of the machine a number of bundles of bats are in 2,892,242 Patented June 30, 1959 process continuously so that when one bundle of bats is ejected from the machine, another is immediately ready to be placed in the machine.

Another object of the invention is to eject the bundle of bats from the machine at the end of the time fixed for the shrinking of the bats in the bundle.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the direction of-rotation of the bundle working and supporting rolls to aid in the ejection of the bundle of bats from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to so place the ejecting means that they will not interfere with the operation of the rolls on the bundle of bats.

Other objects and advantages of the machine will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the complete machine with the central forward housing broken away.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the complete machine with the operators work bench standing in front of the machine.

Figure 3 is a left end elevational view of the machine with the operators bench in place.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the left side of the top of the machine with the casing door open.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view on the right side with the upper casing door open.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through the upper portion of the machine, looking from the right.

Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the forward roll.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the attachment of the slats to the roll.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the elements of the machine with their electrical operating mechanisms.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view showing the light beam broken by a bundle.

In the drawings similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The machine 1 stands upon a base 2 and in the side frames 3 of the machine are supported the large lower bat bundle supporting roll 4, the forward roll 5 and the upper roll 6. mounted on shafts 8 keyed to gears 9 which are rotated in the same direction by chain 10 on the right side of the machine. The webs 7 each have notches 11 out into their perimeter into which the ends of slats 12 snugly fit and the slats are held in place by the bands 13 and screws 14 passing through the bands, the slat ends and into the webs. On the left side of the machine the large lower roll shaft 8 has thereon a gear 15 driven by motor 16 by means of chain 17.

The bundle of bats 18 is dropped or thrown between the two rolls 4 and 6 until the bundle rests on roll 4. All the rolls rotate in the same direction as shown in Figures 6 and 9, counter-clockwise, so that the direction of rotation of the bearing side of forward roll 5 is forward, toward the front of the machine. Hot water is directed through orifices in a horizontal section 19 of pipe 20 toward the rolls in the form of a spray and the portion of this water not absorbed by the bundle of bats falls to tray 21 at the bottom of the top section of the machine. The slats constituting the face of rolls 4 and 6 are cut out as at 22 spaced from the ends of the rolls. An angular ejector 23 with a long curved upper section 24 and a lower section angular thereto 24 is recessed into these openings in rolls 4 and 6, to'engage the bundle of bats upon being forced forwardly. When forced forwardly they elevate the bundle to the top of roll 5, which, rotating forwardly, drops the roll out of the machine. The

ejector arms 23 are non-rotatably pinned to transverse These rolls comprise webs 7 at their ends 3 bar 25 which also has angle arms 26 fixed rigidly thereto, at the opposite ends of the bar, beyond the ends of the rolls. These angular arms 26 are likewise fixed on shaft 27 pivoted in the side frames 3 of the machine. This shaft is rocked at one end by arm 28 aflixed thereto which is in turn rocked by articulated rod 29 forming the core of the solenoid 30.

A radiation-responsive device such as a photo-cell 31 is on the left side of the machine and a light 32 is on the right side of the machine. These elements are so placed as to pass a beam of light diagonally across the space occupied by the bundle of bats when in bat rolling and felting position between the rolls, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 9.

A work bench 33 extends forwardly of the machine as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 on which the rolls of bats may be rolled up and unrolled as the bats are changed to their different positions within the bundle or roll to efiect their proper felting or shrinkage. The operator stands at the left of the machine and faces the work bench to perform this service, then places the bundles of bats in the machine for the rolling and shrinking operation. The Work bench has water receptacles 34 at each side connected as at 35, and a water inlet 36 to cool the operators hands. This bench also has a sloping top, sloping away from the operator With a drain 37 leading into the tray 21 as shown in Figure 1 from which there is a drain 38 leading from the whole machine.

The photo-cell is connected to a timer 39 which is actuated upon the breaking of the beam by the presence of the bundle in the machine and a selected time after the breaking of that beam the timer closes a circuit, actuates the solenoid 30, which throws the ejector arms out or forward and ejects the bundle of bats from the machine.

When starting the machine in the morning, the starting button 40 may be pressed and the machine may then continue throughout the day in its operation until stopped by pressing the stop button 41. Should the motor be stopped because of overheating, it could be started again by pressing the reset motor button 42.

For any given run of bats the timer 39 may be set to leave each bundle of bats between the rolls for a fixed length of time and then all that the operator needs to do is to insert the bundle of bats the number of times required after each changed position of the bats in the bundle until each bundle has the required number of treatments in the machine, and while one bundle is in the machine for shrinking, others may be prepared so that the machine is kept working continuously. As the machine is automatically controlled for the length of time each bundle remains in it, uniformity of felting is obtained since the moisture also is uniformly applied at a uniform temperature. Also the pressure and speed of the rolls is uniform so that the hats produced on the instant machine are far superior to those produced on machines leaving these variables to the determination of the operator, or those worked by hand, and the operator himself is saved considerable work in stopping and starting the machine for each operation on a bundle and the working life of the machine is greatly increased because of its continuous operation. The vapors are taken off by suction placed on hood 43. All moisture is retained in the rolling section of the machine and kept [from the operating elements by the casing and the tray 21.

Although this invention has been shown and described specifically, many modifications are possible and it should be restricted only as necessitated by the prior art and the spirit of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising spaced means to oppositely depress spaced portions of hat bats passing therebtween, means to progress hat bats across said depressing means, a light source and a photo-cell positioned to pass a light beam therebetween intercepted by the passage of hat bats between said spaced means and means to limit the period of the operation of the depressing means on the hat bats after the interception of the light beam by the hat bats.

2. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising spaced means to oppositely depress spaced portions of hat bats passing therebetween, means to constantly progress a hat bat across said depressing means, a light source and a photo-cell positioned to pass a light beam therebetween to be intercepted by the passage of a hat bat between said spaced means, means to withdraw the hat bat from the depressing means and means to actuate the withdrawing means within a selected period after the interception of the light beam by a hat bat.

3. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to rotate at least one of the rolls, means between the rolls to detect the presence of a bundle of bats in rolling position between the rolls and means actuated by the detecting means to limit the time of rolling of a bundle of bats after the actuation of the detecting means.

4. In a machine for shrinking hat "bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to constantly rotate one of said rolls, means between the rolls to detect the presence of a bundle of bats in rolling position between the rolls and means actuated by the detecting means to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls a selected time after actuation of the detecting means.

5. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls fixedly mounted for rotation in the machine and between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to con stantly rotate at least one of the rolls and automatic means to lift a bundle of bats from between the rolls and to eject it from the machine after shrinking the bats a predetermined length of time.

6. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to rotate at least one of the rolls and a plurality of arms between certain of the rolls and means to actuate the arms to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls.

7. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to constantly rotate the rolls in a common direction, means projecting longitudinally between the rolls to detect the presence of a bundle of bats in rolling position between the rolls and means to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls a selected time after actuation of the detecting means.

8. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a 'pluralityrof spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to. rotate at least one of the rolls, a light source and photo-cell at opposite ends of the space between the rolls positioned for interception of the light beam from the source passing to the photo-cell by a bundle of bats when placed between the rolls and means to limit the time of rolling of a bundle of bats after the interception of the light beam by a bundle of bats.

9. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to constantly rotate at least one of the rolls, a light source and a photo-cell positioned to pass a beam of light therebetween to be intercepted by a bundle of bats when placed between the rolls and means to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls a selected time after the interception of the light beam.

10. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to rotate at least one of the rolls, means extending between the rolls pivoted to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls, a light source and a photo-cell positioned to pass a light beam therebetween intercepted by a bundle of bats between the rolls and means to actuate the pivoted means a selected time after the interception of the light beam.

11. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a plurality of spaced rolls between which bundles of bats are adapted to be supported and rolled, means to rotate at least one of the rolls, arms pivoted beyond the ends of the rolls having means thereon extending between the rolls to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls, means to detect a bundle of bats in rolling position between the rolls, and means under the control of the detecting means to swing the pivoted arms to eject a bundle of bats from between the rolls a selected time after the actuation of the detecting means.

12. In a machine for shrinking hat bats and the like comprising a lower roll, an upper forward roll and an upper rear roll, said rolls being parallel and spaced to receive therebetween and support a bundle of bats, means to rotate the upper surface of the upper forward roll forwardly, and means to raise a bundle of bats from the lower roll to the upper surface of the forward roll, whereby to discharge a bundle of bats from the rolls.

13. In a machine as set forth in claim 12 including means to detect a bundle of bats in rolling position between the rolls and means to actuate the raising means a selected time after the actuation of the detecting means.

14. In a machine as set forth in claim 12 including a light source and a photo-cell positioned to pass a beam of light therebetween to be intercepted by a bundle of bats when placed between the rolls, and means to actuate the raising means a selected time after the interception of the light beam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 289,243 Eickemeyer Nov. 27, 1883 382,379 Palmer May 8, 1888 1,738,494 Genest Dec. 3, 1929 2,293,663 Rickus Aug. 18, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 853,252 France Nov. 28, 1939 

